The Nativity and the Child

 

There is something so magical and wonderful about the Nativity for a child during Advent and the days leading up to Christmas.  To listen to the story of the Annunciation, then the Visitation, followed by the story of the Nativity of Our Lord, our children are embedded with their salvation history and see the beautiful imagery of their faith and traditions right in the scripture readings.
 
The Creche, St. Francis of Assisi's idea, brings the Nativity story alive and gives children something tangible where there is still the unseen, or where there is still the empty cradle awaiting the Baby Jesus, we have everything leading up to this event. 

We have a couple of very child friendly creches that are meant to be handled and touched and carried around and basically tortured, I mean nurtured until the birth of Christ:



And this one given to us by a woman who had a knack for wood crafts (speaking of which, check out Theresa's latest creation it's amazing):



What child doesn't automatically run up to any manger outside of a church to peek inside and see if the Baby Jesus is there yet?  Our children of course have delighted in adding the figures to our Nativity since the beginning of Advent and truly enjoy seeing the progression of our Wise Men as they travel from far off lands.
 
They have been trying especially hard to do extra deeds for their Secret Santa and there is much whispering among themselves as they quickly slide into to their room, door closed to make yet another special surprise for one another in the family. 

It truly warms my heart that the season can be filled with so much awe and wonder and that their focus is clearly on Jesus and the special symbols that we look to each day as we hang another Jesse Tree ornament, or create another Saint for our Celebration Tree, or light another candle and like everyone starting last night, read the O Antiphons and place our symbol in a prominent place next to the Advent wreath.

As we emerge into this final week of preparations and await Our Savior, I wanted to share our child friendly Nativities and give you an idea for a lovely little craft, inspired in part by Alice's "miniature" theme and alot of left over Tea time cartons! This is the elves preferred libation after a heavy day of creating.

Here is a Nativity you can create using an empty tea carton with the perforated opening removed (of course any small box will work).



Use a decorative scrapbooking paper, cardstock, felt, or fabric to cover the inside and outside of your carton leaving the opening clear:



Now for the fun, decorate as desired!!

Many items could be used for decorating the remaining outside of the carton and a platform can be created in front of the carton for which to rest some of the Nativity figures depending upon their size, here's a few that come to mind.

• Moss
• Wool for snow,
• Twigs,
• Tiny pine branches,
• Pinecones,
• A walnut or other nut halved can serve as the manger,
• Birds nests,
• Small animals,
• Flowers, real, silk or dried,
• More felt or fabric... this list could probably continue for the experienced crafter.
• Wood Beads and Pipe cleaners for Baby Jesus, Mary and Joseph.

At this point your box is now transformed into a sweet little dwelling for Our Lady and dear St. Joseph, but I suggest keeping baby Jesus tucked out of view until Christmas Eve and a sweet treat tucked inside with him for your dear ones to discover :)



Here is a close-up of the trio, sorry the quality isn't coming out too well, hopefully you can get the general idea.  I use the littlest Matreshka for my baby Jesus :)



Please let me know if you decide to create one of these with your children or perhaps as a special surprise for Christmas Eve morning. 

There is also a lovely blessing for your Christmas Tree and Manger at Unam Ecclesiam, please visit, it's a good place to be :)  I will be posting the children's manger scene creations in another post, stay tuned!!

***It should also be noted that the wooden beads could be a choking hazard for your littlest creators, so please do take care.  A pom-pom might be a good substitute.
Love and Joy to you all today!

Meredith Henning is an Economics graduate of Seattle University with a French Minor. She now home educates her four beautiful children, the oldest being a girl, followed by three boys.  She currently writes about Catholic family life and home education at her weblog Sweetness and Light.  Also this year she spoke at her first Catholic Home Education Conference in Manassas, Virginia.  She is also a recent contributor to the very lovely Christmas weblog O Night Divine hosted by Mary Ellen Barrett.  Married 14 years to her wonderful and dear husband Matthew, she is currently working on a book about Catholic motherhood and home schooling.  Please visit her other weblogs Sweetness in the Kitchen and Threads of Love (a mother and daughter blog).